We will contest LS polls in Bihar with UPA allies: Lalu

February 24, 2009 17:57 IST

The Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday said his party would contest the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar in alliance with the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Lok Janashakti Party, but ruled out conceding more than 13 seats given to the United Progressive Alliance allies, similar to that in the 2004 elections.

"The LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, Congress, NCP and RJD which are the UPA allies will contest together. I want that we contest together," Prasad told mediapersons in the Parliament House premises in New Delhi.

On being asked what would be his plan of action if there was no consensus between the allies, Prasad said, "If they don't agree then all will contest, but I want that we contest together."

He said that none of the allies would give up a seat if there was no consensus. However, he was hopeful of working out the details soon.

"We will sit together and discuss," Lalu said. However, he ruled out conceding any more seats to the UPA allies than those at present. Of the 40 seats in the state, RJD contested 26 seats, LJP (8), Congress (4) and NCP (1) in the 2004 general elections. The remaining seat went to the Communist Party of India-Marxist.

"It is in your mind and is your creation. No party will want to contest less seats," Prasad said.

Responding to Prasad's remarks, Paswan said, "Our party has stated that we will contest 16 seats. A formula has come from their side also. Now we will discuss this and then the matter will be taken forward in further talks".

He said, "I thank Laluji for wanting me as the prime minister, but the question is where is the vacancy for the PM's post?"

On his recent visit to Paswan's house, Lalu said, "His daughter is not well and a grandchild was born and I had gone for that. But it is true that there is not much time. We should sit down and talk. Paswan's response was good."

Lalu also said that he had not denied a ticket to Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav. "I only said all those who are convicted, unless the courts suspends the sentence, cannot contest."